Monday, August 8

I would like to present a truly rare "lost song" from very early on in Jonathan Richman's career: "Boston Boston USA".

This was sparked by a comment left on a blog post a few months ago.
Back in the mid-70's Jonathan had done a pre-announced radio appearance on either WBCN or WBUR.
A song from this performance stood out to the commenter and he reached out to see if anyone else knew of it.

In 1973, the Modern Lovers were busy recording for their tumultuous 1st album and had driven out to California. (This was after the infamous Bermuda trip). Ernie Brooks recalls them feeling very out of place there (too "sophisticated" for the west coast!), especially Jonathan who was not adjusting to the weather well.

I wonder if that is when (and the context by which) Jonathan wrote this song.

They played some shows on this trip, one of them at the Long Branch Saloon (they had played there previously, I'm not referring to this show) with a set-list that still included most of the old "punk" songs, but with a tamer sound.
As an opening song, accompanied only by bass (Ernie Brooks), "Boston, Boston, USA" was performed.

If a copy of this show exists (as the text from the book seems to indicate with it's detail), please let me know!

A recording of this show exists but the sound quality is very poor.
To try to share a more audible copy of the song, I made an edited version using the Audacity software.
I increased the volume, and with the "EQ" tool I increased the "highs" a bunch, and slightly lowered the "lows".

I also tried scribing the lyrics down. It was quite a chore due to the sound quality of the recording!
Here's the best I could do, please comment if you have any corrections!

Well I know a girl from MattapanI go up the hills and down againWell I like to walk up Blue Hill Aveand run all around with the legs that I haveOk, what you say, modern dance floorBoston, USA (oh, yeah, yeah)Boston, USAI know a girl from RoslindaleSaid Boston winters get cold as hellI love to ride on the MBTAGonna run around Boston, USAAll right, here we go nowBoston, USA (oh, one more time)Boston, USAWell, now, Cleveland Circle, MattapanNorwood, Newton, Framingham,Allston, Saugus, Jamaica PlainI love Boston USA(need help with this verse)I know a girl from Cambridge, MassMake good sense from a place like that(?)I want to fly in the open street (?)(?)Boston, USABoston, USA (one more time)Boston, USA

Disclaimer

Jojoblog is maintained with respect by fans for fans. Jonathan Richman does not use the internet or own a computer. Any communication from him to the Jojoblog community is sent through his publicist, Debbie Gulyas of Blue Arrow Records.